H.E. Ambassador Ngo Thi Hoa delivered her welcome address on the occasion of the 74thNational Day of The Socialist Republic of Vietnam.
The Ambassador paid homage to President Ho Chi Minh, the beloved leader of the Vietnamese people. The Ambassador stated the following: On behalf of the Embassy of Vietnam in the Hague, I would like to extend a warm welcome to all of you to the reception celebrating the 74th National Day of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam.
More than seven decades ago, on September 2, 1945, President Ho Chi Minh, the beloved leader of the Vietnamese people, proclaimed the Declaration of Independence in Hanoi, announcing the birth of the then Democratic Republic of Vietnam, now the Socialist Republic of Vietnam. From this historic moment, a chapter of Independence – Freedom – Happiness has opened in the history of our nation.
Under a red field and gold star banner, our people have joined hands, overcome hardships and marched forward, striving for national development, prosperity and happiness for all, while contributing to peace, cooperation, and development in the region and the world.
After more than 30 years since the launch of the “Doi Moi” or “Renovation” policy, Vietnam has been pursuing the foreign policy of independence, self-reliance, cooperation and development, diversification and multilization of external relations, proactive and active international integration. The Government has also been stepping up economic reforms, improving the business environment, promoting the development of all economic stakeholders, and investing into education and human resources development.
Today, Vietnam is one of the fastest-growing and most open economies in Southeast Asia. Our GDP growth was nearly 7.1% in 2018, among the fastest-growing economies in the world. The countryenjoys free trading relations with nearly 60 major countries and partners in the world as a result of its membership of 16 Free Trade Agreements or FTAs. Most recently, Vietnam and the European Union (EU) signed the EVFTA in Ha Noi on June 30, which is expected to boost EU exports to Vietnam by 15.3% and those from Vietnam to the EU by 20.0% by 2020.
The bright future of Vietnam is closely linked to peace, stability and shared prosperity with the region and the world. Vietnam has always strived to integrate with the international community and has worked with the international community on the basis of respect for other countries’ independence and sovereignty, equality, mutual benefits, as well as international law. We view these principles as the foundation and most effective means to ensuring the legitimate interests of all countries.
In relation to this, Vietnam has actively participated in the United Nations (UN), the Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN), the Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM), the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC), and the Mekong sub-regional mechanisms, among others. The country successfully hosted the 2017 APEC Year, the 132thInter-Parliamentary Union General Assembly, the 2018 World Economic Forum on ASEAN, and will be assuming the ASEAN Chairmanship in 2020 as well as the non-permanent seat in the UN Security Council for the term 2020-2021.
Vietnam is currently working with fellow member states to implement the ASEAN Community Vision 2025, to build a united, strong, developed and prosperous community, and strengthen the role of ASEAN’s centrality in the regional framework.
This year, Vietnam and the Netherlands have celebrated the 46thanniversary of diplomatic relation establishment (9/4/1973-9/4/2019). Over the past years, the friendship and cooperation relationship between the two countries have been developing positively and effectively on all fields, especially in the economic sector as the Netherlands is now the second largest European trading partner of Viet Nam, with bilateral turnover in 2018 reaching 7.8 billion USD and the largest European investor in Viet Nam, with total registered FDI amounting to 9.55 billion USD. Our Strategic Partnership on Climate Change Adaptation and Water Management and on Sustainable Agriculture and Food Security have been implemented by specific programmes and projects and will be the continued focus of bilateral cooperation in the future.
During the official visit to Vietnam by Prime Minister Mark Rutte in April 2019, the two Governments agreed to upgrade the Viet Nam-Netherlands relation to a comprehensive partnership. This constitutes a significant milestone to further strengthen the multifaceted cooperation between the two countries in an efficient and sustainable manner, thereby meeting common needs and interests of both sides. This also reflects the overall positive trend of cooperation between Vietnam and Europe in general.
On this occasion, I would like to express my deepest gratitude to the Government, Ministries, the business community and people of the Netherlands as well as our international partners and friends who have cooperated with Vietnam over the years and I thank you for your warm affection and support. I would also like to thank the Vietnamese community in the Netherlands for your continuous contribution in strengthening the friendship between Vietnam and the Netherlands.
In this cordial atmosphere, as we share the joy with the Vietnamese people on this National Day, let us raise our glasses:
To the fruitful friendship and cooperation between Vietnam and the Netherlands!
A reception and dinner-buffet concluded the festive afternoon on the premises of the Embassy in The Hague
